The Conservative Party has once again attempted to reach out to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered issues) with an equality manifesto that promises to consider the case for civil partnerships to be renamed as civil marriages. It echoes a vague commitment given by shadow chancellor George Osborne to gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell but comes after a string of damaging accusations of homophobia by a number of Conservative candidates.

The equality manifesto with a foreword by shadow equalities minister Theresa May says: “Since the beginning of his leadership, David Cameron has made clear the Conservative Party’s commitment to sexual equality and gay rights – from his first conference speech, in which he proudly confirmed our support for civil partnerships, to his apology for our former stance on Section 28.

“We have supported tackling homophobic bullying and measures to tackle incitement to gay hatred, and we have opened up Conservative candidate selection to people from all backgrounds.

“Whether it’s our strong commitment to supporting marriage and civil partnerships, or our proposals for flexible parental leave which will benefit parents regardless of their sexuality, the modern Conservative Party is committed to a fairer deal for gay people across Britain”

The equality document also says a Conservative Government would fight for LGBT rights abroad: “Unfortunately there are still far too many countries around the world that discriminate against gay and lesbian people. We would use our relationships with other countries to push for unequivocal support for gay rights. For example, Shadow Cabinet Minister Nick Herbert will attend the EuroPride rally in Warsaw as part of our commitment to making the case for gay equality in Eastern Europe.

“We would also use our influence in international groups like the Commonwealth to put pressure on countries where gay people are persecuted, such as Uganda, and we would change the rules so that gay people fleeing persecution were granted asylum. At the moment gay asylum seekers are often returned to countries with homophobic regimes and told to keep their sexuality a secret.”